Apparatus for dry cleaning



Dec. 19, 1933. J. GANS APPARATUS FOR DRY CLEANING cs-Sheet 1 Filed March 51, 1931 INVENTOR BY @ATTORNEY 17 Dec. 19, 1933. GANS 1,939,971

APPARATUS FOR DRY CLEANING Filled March 31, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR A TTORNE Y;

Patented Dec. 19, 191 33 v 1,939,971- APPARATUS FOR DRY CLEANING John Gans, Grymes Hill, Staten Island, N. Y., as-

signor to Columbia Appliance Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 31, 1931. Serial No. 526,651

4 Claims. (01. 68-38) The present invention relates to an improveto fumes liberated during the ordinary cleaning ment in apparatus for dry cleaning, some feaand drying operations.- y tures of which are more particularly applicable To more fully secure the results last above mento the type wherein the cleaning liquid or solvent, tioned, I enclose the washer in a cabinet or hous- 5 after being used repeatedly or until it becomes ing Whichis provided with means, as a blower or L dirty, is removed from the washer and cleansed fan, for creating a condition of lowered pressure or reclaimed, after which it is returned to the therein to produce a ventilating air current, thus washer to be used again. This type of apparatus entraining and controllably discharging both the is distinguished from other types in which the fum s from the drying ar icle and th fum lif cleaning liquid circulates continuously through a y, fromlthe washer, p t y When the 65 a filter or the like during washing and in such a t s Opened to receive or discharge articles. way that the dislodged dirt is removed from the The housing s preferably 80 related to the reliquid in an operation continuous with the washlaimin app a that it also receives y 1111- ing condensed fumes or vapors passing over from the One object ofthe present invention has been to still or other volatile solvent reclaiming or puri- 0 provide dry cleaning apparatus of the batch type, y g d v ce Which, in the illustrated embodisimultaneously utilizing two supplies of liquid, m n operates at ph i pressure, or p as distinguished from types utilizing a single to the atmosphere or to the discharging effect u l i hi h th dirty li id i l imed of the blower at some convenient place, as Within while the other or fresh supply is being used in d housing 01 cabinet. 75

the washer, the contemplated cycle including the A further Object of y vention has been to following operations, namely, washing, removal provide apparatus which affords all the advanof the used liquid, introduction of a fresh suptages above suggested, among others, n whi h 1 ply into the washer, and reclaiming the used liqcan be built at low cost and to occupy relatively uid, as by distillation, while the washer operates li tle pa e, hus p vi n a y t well adapted to clean a new batch of articles with the other for a wide range of commercial requirements supply. With two supplies of cleaning liquid in and not requiring unusually skilled operators.- the system, it is apparent that my apparatus Furthermore, when used with non-explosive or permits one to be in use for cleaning while the non-combustible cleaning solvents, as for exam other is being reclaimed and storedfor use durple, trichlorethylene, ,my improved apparatus ing the next cleaning operation. presents many other advantages which will be i I am aware that Hirsts United States Patent readily apparent to persons skilled in the art.

#1,697,766 discloses a washer, a used or dirty A Preferred bo t Of my invention is i1- liquid receptacle, a still, and a-clean liquid'relustrated in the drawings accompanying the ceptacle, so connected that the'used liquid is fed present specification and in which- 90 ,into the dirty liquid tank, from there to a still, Fi ure 1 i a sch mati fr nt elevation, and

and from the condenser of the still to a clean Figure a Central Vertical Section Of a p liquid tank. However, among many obvi differred form of still for use in my improved appaferences in structure between Hirsts apparatus ratus- 40 and my improved device, said patentee does not Refenfmg drawmgs, h fi o v- 95 disclose the mode of operation with two supplies mg my .mventlpn 15 shown as mcludmg cabmet of liquid which Ihave set forth above; but instead of sultable E a shape tqhouse Washer 2 utilizes his washer as a dryer during reclaiming, garment g g ifii meanslsuch as so that, while the dirty liquid is being recovered, a ransverse r0 e Whlch ment hanger 4 may be suspended. Access may vivasher 18 used only to dry the last cleaned be had to the interior of the cabinet by providing 00 1c es.

i removable panels as 5, or doors 6, or both. A A further -l of my mventlon has been to condition of lowered pressure is induced inside p ovid a iq solvent dry cleaning PP the cabinet 1 by any suitable means such as a which a be located for use ordmary fan 7 actuated by a motor 8 or the like, said fan 105 Work room other enclosed Space Without causbeing arranged to exhaust the gaseous contents 8 the air therein to be Contaminated with of the cabinet through an exhaust conduit 9. volatilized solvent, and which, in normal use, The arrangement of t washer 2 within permits the operator to perform his work efinet 1 and in relation to the doors 6 is such that,

fectively and quickly and with no discomfort due while engaged in duties connected with normal 110 use of the apparatus, the operator remains outside of the cabinet and readily performs his work from that position through the opening of one or both of the doors 6; and during such times air from the room or shop is drawn past him and into the cabinet from which it is discharged along with the fumes therein through exhaust conduit 9. Thus, with the use of my apparatus as above described, the business of dry cleaning can be advantageously conducted without subjecting operators engaged in the work to the disagreeable and at times injurious air conditions which prevail in dry cleaning establishments where the atmosphere is fouled by the fumes of the solvent or solvents employed in cleaning operations.

Associated in operative relation to the cabinet 1 is a tank having an upper compartment 10 and a lower compartment 11, said compartments being separated by a diaphragm or wall 12. The compartment 10 is intended to receive used or dirty liquid from the washer 2 and hold the same prior to its distillation or reclaiming in a suitable still or the like. A gauge 13 indicates the level of dirty liquid in the tank or compartment 10.

The compartment 11 is. intended to receive and hold reclaimed liquid as it is recovered from a condenser forming part of a still, hereinafter to be described. A gauge 14 indicates the height or level of the liquid in the reclaimed liquid compartment 11.

One end of a main conduit 15 communicates with the interior of the washer 2. The other end of said conduit comprises two branches, one branch 16 leading to the dirty liquid tank or compartment 10, and the other branch 17 communicating with the reclaimed liquid compartment 11. A pump 18 is operatively interposed in the conduit 15, or at any other suitable or convenient place whereby it may serve to pump dirty liquid into the compartment 10 through the conduit 15 and the branch 16. A valve 19 in branch 16 prevents return of liquid through. said branch into conduit 15 during inflow of reclaimed liquid from compartment 11, to be described.

The passage of reclaimed liquid through branch 1'7 is controlled by means of a valve 20. Thus, prior'to the actuation of pump 18 for the purpose of moving the dirty liquid into the compartment 10, valve 20 is closed and valve 19 is opened. To avoid or prevent the flow of dirty liquid through branch 1'7 in case the operator should neglect to close valve 20, a check valve 21 is provided, said valve being adapted to close against pressure from pump 18 and to open when the reclaimed liquid is discharged from compartment 11 into the washer 2 by gravity.

The used or dirty liquid compartment 10 is connected by means of a pipe 22'with the boiler portion 23 of a still, the flow of liquid through said pipe 22 being controlled by valve 24. A steam coil 25 supplies heat to the interior .of the boiler 23 and vapors generated therein are carried upwardly through a vapor conduit 26 into a condenser having a liquid discharge pipe 27 which conveys the distillate or reclaimed liquid into the compartment 11.

Any suitable type of still may be employed to recover or reclaim the dirty liquid. However, I prefer to utilize aform of still more particularly adapted to meet the needs of relatively small dry cleaning establishments and capable of rapidly volatilizing the liquid in the boiler portion 23 and rapidly condensing the vapor products thus a drain pipe 39.

produced in a so-called atmospheric pressure device, or one in which the interior of the boiler and the condensing system attached thereto or communicating therewith operate at substantially atmospheric pressure. This type of apparatus obviously introduces a safety factor which is'of material importance particularly when utilized in a dry cleaning system.

One form of condenser presenting the advantages above referred to is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. As indicated therein the condenser includes a water tank 28 to which water is supplied through a connection 29 in the bottom wall of said tank. A water discharge pipe 30, Figure 1, is connected to the upper portion of the tank 28 by means of a connection 31, Figure 2. The flow of water into tank 28 is regulated by hand operated valve 32. The upper end of vapor conduit 26 opens into a condenser cham ber 33 within which a bafile 34 is suspended. Any distillate which results from condensation of the vapors on the walls of chamber 33 accumulates in the trough formed by the lower wall of chamber 33 around the upper end of conduit 26. A discharge pipe 35 communicates with the interior of said trough in chamber 33 to drain off the distillate as it accumulates therein. Uncondensed vapors rising from chamber 33 discharge into a similar chamber 36 having a similar trough and a drain pipe 37, and the uncondensed vapors from chamber 36 arise into chamber 38 which is also provided with a liquid collecting trough and The drains 35, 3'7 and 39 are operatively connected with a discharge coil 49 which communicates with the discharge-pipe 27 leading to the compartment 11.

In operation, as soon as the dirty liquid is discharged from compartment 10 into the boiler 23 steam is admitted into coil 25 causing vaporization of the liquid. The resulting vapors are condensed as above indicated and the reclaimed liquid is discharged into compartment 11. A suitably reduced temperature in the vicinity of the chambers 33, 36 and 38 and the pipes and coils associated therewith is effected by means of cold water circulating through the tank 28 in contact with said chambers and said pipes.

In connection with my improved still, I provide a pressure vent 41 communicating with the interior of the condenser chamber system above described, said vent being connected by means I f a pipe 42 with the condensate return pipe 2'? which discharges into clean liquid compartment 11. One purpose of this construction is to prevent the release and spreading of fumes in case some unusual condition exists in the still by reason of which, for example, violent vaporization takes place, or such that the contents of the still either condensed or uncondensed are forced into the vent 41 and discharged into the atmosphere of the room or shop in which the apparatus is employed unless they are otherwise disposed of. By connecting vent 41 with the discharge pipe 27, any excess liquid or uncondensed vapor discharging through the vent 41 from the condenser system is conducted through a relatively cool pipe 42 and into contact with relatively cool surfaces including that of such liquid as may be in the compartment 11. As a further safety feature, a vent pipe 43 has its receiving end opening into the interior of compartment 11 and its discharge end opening into the interior of cabinet 1. phere through pipe 42, tank 11 and pipe 43. Moreover, by locating the discharge end of pipe Thus, the condenser is vented to atmos- 43 within the cabinet 1, I prevent the emission and spread of fumes in the room or Work shop which accommodates the cleaning apparatus, and all fumes are drawn off by the ventilating devicesoperatively associated with the cabinet 1 previously described.

From the foregoing description and the contemplated mode of operation indicated in connection therewith, it will be apparent that my invention provides a dry cleaning apparatus .or system which presents important features of novelty and utility. Among these, is the provision of a ventilated cabinet so arranged and constructed as to receive substantially all of the fumes or vapors produced in connection with normal operation of the device. For example, where a volatile solvent is used, such as trichlorethylene, fumes thereof arise out of the washer 2 whenever the latter is opened either to insert or to remove garments or other articles.

Furthermore, the garments when removed conother source of fumes is the vent or discharge from the still particularly if it is open to atmosphere in the work room. As above indicated, any surplus vapors or fumes produced in the still of my apparatus are discharged through pipe 43 into the interior of cabinet 1. Thus, with the ventilating system of said cabinet in operation the fumes are constantly being driven out through the conduit 9 and are being replaced by air drawn from the work shop or room in which the apparatus is located. The result is that my improved dry cleaning system-can be utilized in very small quarters and without injury or discomfort to the operators by reason of discharge of fumes into the room.

A further advantageous feature of my improved apparatus is the arrangement of the conduit connected to the washer in such a way that the same pipe accomplishes both the discharge of the dirty liquid and the feed in of the reclaimed liquid. This arrangement not only simplifies-and reduces the number of parts of the device but it also causes the regularly repeated automatic cleaning or flushing of the pump and the discharge conduit by the reclaimed liquid.

In case it is desired to operate the system without a used liquid compartment or tank, a branch pipe 44 is interposed between the main conduit 15 and the boiler 23 and is provided with a control valve 45. Thus, by closing valves 19 and 24 and opening valve 45, the used or dirty liquid is pumped directly to the boiler. As soon as the pumping operation is complete the valve 45 may be closed to prevent the return of liquid or vapors into conduit 15 except by way of the condenser system and the reclaimed liquid conduits previously described. However, if there is a supply of clean liquid in tank 11 when pump 18 is stopped, and if valve 20 is open, clean liquid will flow through pipe 17, valve 20, check valve 21 and main conduit 15 into the washer; and in so doing will prevent the escape of vapor arising in the still through pipe 44, even though valve 45 remains open.

Where the compartment 10 or equivalent tank is employed for receiving the dirty liquid from the washer as a preliminary step to the reclaiming operation, it is necessary to provide a vent for air forced out of said compartment 10 as the liquid is pumped in. One-convenient means for accomplishing this result consists of a vent pipe 46 having its lower end opening through the diaphragm 12 and its open upper end extending into the dome of the compartment 10 above the level of liquid therein. This affords a passage for the discharge of air through said pipe 46 into the upper portion of comparLment 11 and thence through pipe 43 into the cabinet 1. If desired, the same effect is secured by providing a pipe 47 extending through an upper portion of compartment 10 and connecting with pipe 43 outside of the tank. This mode of venting the air from the dirty fluid container is indicated in cases where the dirty fluid container is a separate unit from the clean fluid container or receptacle.

I claim as my invention:

1. Dry cleaning apparatus comprising a Washer adapted to employ a volatile fume producing solvent as a dirt remover, a cabinet enclosing said washer, a still including a vaporizer and a condenser operatively connected to said washer and adapted to reclaim cleaning solvent after it has been used in said washer, a conduit operatively connecting the washer and the still and adapted to convey said used solvent from the washer to the still, the interior of the condenser portion of said still being in free communication with the interior of said cabinet to discharge therein uncondensed vapors of the reclaimed solvent, and a blower arranged and adapted to cause a condition of lowered pressure within the cabinet and to controllably discharge said vapors from the interior thereof.

2. Dry cleaning apparatus comprising a'washer adapted to employ a volatile fume producing solvent as a dirt remover, a cabinet enclosing said washer, a still including a vaporizer and a condenser operatively connected to said washer and adapted to reclaim cleaning solvent used in said washer, a conduit operatively connecting the washer and the still and adapted to convey used solvent from the washer to the still, a receptacle operatively connected to the condenser portion of said still and adapted to receive reclaimed solvent therefrom, a conduit operatively connected with said receptacle and said washer and adapted to convey clean liquid from the receptacle to the washer, the interior of said receptacle being in free vapor passing communication with the interior of said cabinet, and a blower arranged and adapted to cause a'condition of lowered pressure within the cabinet and to controllably discharge vapors from the interior thereof.

3. Dry cleaning apparatus comprising a washer adapted to employ a volatile fume producing solvent as a dirt remover, a still comprising a heater and a condenser for reclaiming solvent after use in the washer, a tank for dirty solvent operatively connected with said heater and with the washer, a tank for reclaimed solvent operatively connected to the condenser and to the washer, a cabinet enclosing said washer, conduit means for venting air and vaporized solvent from said dirty solvent tank into said cabinet, conduit means for venting air and vaporized solvent from said condenser into said cabinet, the latter being arranged andadapted to confine solvent fumes liberated-from the washer and vented from said tanks, and ventilating means for maintaining a condition of loweredpressure in the cabinet and for discharging said liberated and vented fumes therefrom.

4. Apparatus for dry cleaning with a vaporizable solvent and for preventing the discharge of fumes therefrom into the atmosphere of a workroom in which the apparatus is located comprising a cabinet having an opening in a wall portion thereof and a removable cover for said opening, a

washer for cleaning articles with solvent, means for supporting the cleaned articles in extended condition for drying, said washer and said supporting means being enclosed within said cabinet JOHN GANS. 

